Sport shoe

ABSTRACT

This sport shoe includes an outer sole suitable for ground contact, an inner sole situated under a foot of an athlete, and an intermediate sole between the outer and inner soles. The outer sole is divided, along a longitudinal axis of the shoe, into at least three transverse zones including a front zone located at least partially below the toes of the foot, a median transverse zone provided to be at least partially located below a region of the foot extending between the base of the toes and a front end of the arch of the foot, and a rear zone provided to be located at least partially below a region of the foot extending backward from the front end of the arch of the foot. The three transverse zones are separated by transverse flexion lines whose flexibility is greater than the flexibility of the three transverse zones.

The present invention relates to a sport shoe, in particular a tennis shoe.

Sports require changes in support and direction, as well as sudden stops after running, involving significant forces on athletes' feet, resulting in the need for appropriate sport shoes making it possible on the one hand to prevent injuries while improving comfort and cushioning of the foot, and on the other hand to adapt the shoe to the movement characteristics associated with the sport in question to optimize the dynamics of the athlete's movements.

In the case of tennis, forward movements and lateral movements are made very frequently, causing many changes in directions, and are a major technical issue for players' performance. The existing shoes at this time do not allow optimal adaptation to the physiological and athletic characteristics of the movements of a tennis player.

US-A-2007/0199213 discloses a sports shoe comprising an outer sole having longitudinal and transverse flexion lines that divide the outer sole into several zones. The performances of such a shoe are not optimized.

The invention more particularly aims to resolve these drawbacks by proposing a new sport shoe, in particular for tennis, the structure of which makes it possible to optimize the movements made by an athlete during play and to improve his performance.

To that end, the invention relates to a sport shoe, in particular for tennis, comprising, inter alia:

-   -   an outer sole adapted to be in contact with the ground,     -   an inner sole provided to be situated below an athlete's foot,     -   an intermediate sole inserted between the outer sole and the         inner sole,         the outer sole being divided, along a longitudinal axis of the         shoe, into at least three transverse zones comprising:     -   a front zone provided to be located at least partially under the         toes of the foot,     -   a median transverse zone provided to be at least partially         located below a region of the foot extending between the base of         the toes and a front end of the arch of the foot,     -   a rear zone provided to be located at least partially below a         region of the foot extending backward from the front end of the         arch of the foot,         the three transverse zones being separated by transverse flexion         lines whose flexibility is greater than the flexibility of the         three transverse zones,         the outer sole being divided, along a transverse axis of the         shoe, into three longitudinal zones comprising:     -   an inner zone provided to be at least partially under the big         toe,     -   a central longitudinal zone provided to be at least partially         below the second and third toes,     -   an outer zone provided to be at least partially below the fourth         and fifth toes,         the three longitudinal zones being separated by longitudinal         flexion lines whose flexibility is greater than the flexibility         of the three longitudinal zones.

This shoe is characterized in that the intermediate sole comprises, superimposed on the front zone and the median transverse zone, three cushions comprising:

-   -   an inner cushion at least partially superimposed on the inner         zone,     -   a central cushion at least partially superimposed on the central         longitudinal zone,     -   an outer cushion superimposed at least partially on the outer         zone,         and in that the inner and outer cushions are made from materials         with an energy return capacity greater than the material from         which the central cushion is made.

Owing to the invention, the athlete benefits from a sole whose flexibility allows better control depending on the characteristics of the game, and optimal adaptation of the flexibility to the different phases of play that may occur when playing the sport, which makes it possible to improve playing performance. The correspondence between the cushions of the intermediate sole and the areas of the outer sole allows a better efficiency of the energy delivery depending on the game situations and foot areas requested, which improves the dynamic movements of the player.

According to advantageous but optional aspects of the invention, such a sport shoe may incorporate one or more of the following features, considered in any technically allowable combination:

-   -   The transverse flexion lines and/or the longitudinal flexion         lines are at least partially curved.     -   The transverse flexion lines and/or the longitudinal flexion         lines at least partially have a broken rectilinear shape.     -   The flexion lines are formed by at least one groove running         along an outer surface of the outer sole.     -   The flexion lines are formed by two grooves running side by side         on the outer surface of the outer sole and separated by a rib.     -   The grooves have a depth comprised between 1 and 5 millimeters.     -   The transverse flexion lines have a concave shape whereof the         concave side is oriented toward the back of the shoe.     -   The longitudinal flexion lines have a concave shape whereof the         concave side is oriented toward the inside of the shoe.     -   The outer sole includes a fourth zone extending behind the rear         zone and provided to be located under the heel of the foot.     -   The inner sole has a lower face divided into three transverse         zones and three longitudinal zones superimposed with the         transverse zones and the longitudinal zones of the outer sole,         said transverse and longitudinal zones of the inner sole being         delimited by transverse flexion lines and longitudinal flexion         lines superimposed with the transverse and longitudinal flexion         lines of the outer sole, the flexibility of the flexion lines of         the inner sole being greater than that of the zones of the inner         sole.

The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly, in light of the following description of a sport shoe according to its principle, provided as a non-limiting example in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of part of a shoe according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view along plane II-II in FIG. 1, of the shoe part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along plane III-III in FIG. 1, of the shoe of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a top view of an intermediate sole belonging to the shoe of FIGS. 1 to 3,

FIG. 5 is a bottom view similar to FIG. 1, of part of the shoe according to one alternative of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an inner sole of the shoe of FIGS. 1 to 5,

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view along the plane VII-VII of the inner sole of FIG. 6.

A sport shoe 1 is partially shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. This shoe 1 is more particularly adapted to playing tennis.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shoe 1 comprises an outer sole 3, suitable for being in contact with the ground, an inner sole shown on FIGS. 6 and 7 provided to be situated under a foot P of an athlete, and an intermediate sole 5 inserted between the outer sole 3 and the inner sole in a vertical direction. The shoe 1 also comprises an upper, a tongue and tightening members, not shown.

The shoe 1 defines a longitudinal axis X-X′ extending globally between a front end 10 and a rear end 12 of the shoe 1. In the rest of the description, the adjectives “front” and “rear” are used in reference to the axis X-X′ and the front 10 and rear 12 ends.

Likewise, the shoe 1 defines a transverse direction Y-Y′ perpendicular to the axis X-X′, and which extends between an inner side I of the foot P, which is located on the right side of FIG. 1 and the left side of FIG. 4, and an outer side E situated on the left side of FIG. 1 and the right side of FIG. 4. The inner side of the foot P is that which is oriented toward the vertical central axis of the human body. In the rest of the description, the adjectives “inner” and “outer” are used in reference to the transverse direction Y-Y′.

The foot P comprises five toes, including the big toe 21 located on the inner side of the foot P, as well as a second, third, fourth and fifth toe, respectively numbered 22, 23, 24 and 25 from the inside of the foot toward the outside.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer sole 3 is divided, along the longitudinal axis X-X′, into three transverse zones.

A first zone 3A, called front zone, extends between the front end 10 and a region of the shoe 1 corresponding to the base of the toes of the athlete's foot P. The front zone 3A therefore globally corresponds to the zone of the outer sole 3 provided to be situated at least partially below the athlete's toes.

The distance between the front end 10 and the rear end 12 is defined as being the total length of the outer sole 3.

The front zone 3A extends over a distance comprised between 10 and 30% of the total length of the outer sole 3A from the front end 10.

A second zone 3B, called median transverse zone, is provided to extend at least partially below a region of the foot P situated between the base of the toes and a front end P1 of the arch of the foot, i.e., the arched zone of the foot P, also called “plantar arch”. This region, which is the fleshiest part of the foot P, is greatly stressed when playing sports, and more particularly when playing tennis. When the player braces himself to move before hitting, a large portion of the body weight rests on this part of the foot P.

The median zone 3B extends over a distance comprised between 15 and 25% of the total length of the outer sole 3 from the front zone 3A.

The outer sole 3 includes a third zone 3C, called rear zone, which is provided to be situated below a region of the foot P extending backward from the front end P1 of the arch of the foot. The rear zone 3C is provided to extend below the plantar arch.

The rear zone 3C extends over a distance comprised between 20 and 40% of the total length of the outer sole 3 from the median zone 3B.

Optionally, the outer sole 3 also comprises a fourth transverse zone 3T provided to be located under the heel. The zone 3T extends backward from the rear zone 3C to the rear end 12. This zone 3T extends over a distance comprised between 20 and 40% of the total length of the outer sole 3 from the rear zone 3C.

The zone 3A is separated from the zone 3B by a first transverse flexion line 30, and the zone 3B is separated from the zone 3C by a second transverse flexion line 32. The transverse flexion line 30 is provided to be found globally under the base of the toes. The transverse flexion line 32 is provided to be found globally under the front end P1 of the arch of the foot P. The flexion lines 30 and 32 constitute strips of the outer sole 3 whose flexibility is greater than the flexibility of the zones 3A, 3B and 3C. Flexibility refers to the deformation capacity of the material under the effect of the flexion force. In other words, the deformation capacity of the outer sole 3 in the flexion lines 30 and 32 is greater than the deformation capacity of the outer sole 3 in the zones 3A, 3B and 3C. The flexion lines 30 and 32 therefore make it possible to articulate the zones 3A, 3B and 3C relative to one another.

Thus, when playing a sport, and more particularly tennis, the outer sole 3 is particularly suitable for bracing during which most of the body weight is placed on the fleshy region extending between the base of the toes and the front end P1 of the arch of the foot, in particular when the tennis player is in a waiting stance before a hit by the opponent. The median transverse zone 3B is particularly stressed in this configuration.

The front zone 3A allows bearing of the player on the ground when the player dashes forward, and therefore transmits a large impulse to the ground through his toes. The flexibility of the front zone 3A relative to the median transverse zone 3B therefore allows better energy transmission to the ground and thus increases the forward movement efficiency of the player.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer sole 3 is also divided, along the transverse axis Y-Y′, into three longitudinal zones.

A first longitudinal zone 3D, called inner zone, extends from an inner edge 34 of the outer sole 3 and is provided to be situated at least partially under the big toe 21. The inner zone 3D extends in the front zone 3A, in the median zone 3B and in the rear zone 3C.

The distance between the inner edge 34 and the outer edge 36 is defined as the total width of the outer sole 3.

The inner zone 3D extends over a distance comprised between 20 and 40% of the total width of the outer sole 3 from the inner edge 34.

A second longitudinal zone 3E, called central longitudinal zone, is provided to be at least partially under the second and third toes 22 and 23. The zone 3E extends in the front zone 3A and the median zone 3B to the rear zone 3C, in which it extends partially.

The central zone 3E extends over a distance comprised between 20 and 40% of the total width of the outer sole 3 from the inner zone 3D.

A third zone 3F, called outer zone, extends from an outer edge 36 of the outer sole 3, and is provided to be located at least partially under the fourth and fifth toes 24 and 25. The zone 3F extends in the front zone 3A and in the median zone to the rear zone 3C, in which it extends partially.

The outer zone 3F extends over a distance comprised between 20 and 40% of the total width of the outer sole 3 from the outer edge 36.

The longitudinal zone 3D is separated from the longitudinal zone 3E by a longitudinal flexion line 38 provided to pass approximately between the big toe 21 and the second toe 22, and the longitudinal zone 3E is separated from the longitudinal zone 3F [by] a longitudinal flexion line 40 provided to pass approximately between the third toe 23 and the fourth toe 24. The flexibility of the flexion lines 38 and 40 is greater than the flexibility of the longitudinal zones 3D, 3E and 3F. In the same way as for the transverse zones, this flexibility allows an articulation of the longitudinal zones relative to one another and better force transmission to the ground when playing a sport.

When playing tennis, lateral movements are a preponderant aspect requiring speed and explosiveness. To that end, the transmission of forces between the tennis player's foot and the ground makes it possible to guarantee the efficiency and speed of changes in direction, which cause slowing, stops and restarts in a different direction. This aspect is also important when the player slows down after running, where the outer zone 3F is stressed.

As shown in FIG. 1, due to the different morphologies of feet, the positioning of the zones 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3T, 3E and 3F may not correspond exactly to the location of the different parts of the foot. Some toes may in particular straddle two longitudinal zones, and the longitudinal flexion lines 38 and 40 may not pass exactly between the big toe 21 and the second toe 22 and between the third toe 23 and the fourth toe 24.

The intermediate sole 5 comprises cushions superimposed on the front zone 3A and the median transverse zone 3B. These cushions comprise an inner cushion 50, globally superimposed on the inner zone 3D. The inner cushion 50 allows a distribution of pressures and return of stored energy for better dynamism during bearing on the inner side of the foot, for example upon explosive startup or landing a jump after serving involving a significant force transmitted by the big toe 21, for a lateral movement.

The intermediate sole 5 also comprises a central cushion 52 globally superimposed on the central longitudinal zone 3E. This cushion is stressed during the weight transfer phase of the body or ground anchoring before hitting, during which stable support is needed.

The intermediate sole 5 also comprises a third outer cushion 54, globally superimposed on the outer zone 3F. This cushion 54 makes it possible to distribute the pressure exerted on the outside of the foot and initiate restarting, for example during slowing after lateral travel, or during an impulse given with the fourth and fifth toes 24 and 25 during a movement or a change in direction.

The central cushion 52 is formed by an expanse of material in which the cushions 50 and 54 are incorporated, and which extends to the rear of the intermediate sole 5. The cushions 50 and 54 are cushions attached in cavities of the central cushion 52.

Alternatively, the central cushion 52 can be an attached cushion of the same type as the cushions 50 and 52, and form an element independent from the rest of the intermediate sole 5. The central cushion 52 can also be made up of a rigid element, such as a strip of plastic, carbon or any other material, positioned in a housing extending between the cushions 50 and 54.

In order to allow more dynamic movement by the player, the inner 50 and outer 54 cushions are made from a material with a high energy return capacity exceeding that of the material from which the central cushion 52 is made. More specifically, the material of the cushions 50 and 54 has a resilience, i.e., a capacity to return to a shape close to its initial shape quickly after a deformation, exceeding that of the material of the cushion 52. Thus, during lateral movements involving bracing using the big toe 21 or the fourth and fifth toes 24 and 25, or in case of a sudden stop for example with the fourth and fifth toes, the foot is cushioned, then the energy is returned in order to increase the speed of execution of the change in direction and therefore the player's overall footwork performance. The coincidence of the cushions 50, 52 and 54 with the longitudinal division of the outer sole 3 by the zones 3D, 3E and 3F allows increased effectiveness of the force transmission between the player and the ground during lateral movements.

As an example, the inner cushion 50 and the outer cushion 54 can be made from a cushioning and elastic material, such as a synthetic foam or a rubber. The central cushion 52 can be made from a rigid or semi-rigid synthetic foam.

Optionally, the intermediate sole 5 also comprises a rear cushion 56 superimposed on the zone 3T and provided to be found under the heel to provide shock absorption on the heel. In the example, the rear cushion 56 is encompassed in the central cushion 52.

The flexion lines 30, 32, 38 and 40 are formed by grooves 42 running side by side over an outer surface S3 of the outer sole 3. A rib 44 extends between the grooves 42. At the grooves 42, the thickness of the outer sole 3 is therefore reduced, which increases flexibility.

In an alternative that is not shown, the flexion lines can be formed by a single groove 42.

The grooves 42 preferably have a depth, considered relative to the outer surface S3, comprised between 0.5 and 5 mm for a mean thickness of the sole 3 comprised between 3 and 5 mm. Thus, the grooves have a depth representing 10 to 100% of the mean thickness of the sole 3.

According to one alternative of the invention that is not shown, the grooves 42 can cross through the entire width of the outer sole 3, making the intermediate sole 5 visible in bottom view of the shoe 1.

The flexion lines 30, 32, 38 and 40 preferably have a width comprised between 1 and 10 mm.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flexion lines 30, 32, 38 and 40 have a broken rectilinear shape. In general, the flexion lines 30, 32, 38 and 40 have an at least partially rectilinear shape. In an alternative shown in FIG. 5, the flexion lines 30, 32, 38 and 40 can also have an at least partially curved shape.

The transverse flexion lines 30 and 32 have a concave shape whereof the concave side is oriented toward the rear, to follow the natural curve of the base of the toes and the front end P1 of the arch of the foot.

The longitudinal flexion lines 38 and 40 have a concave shape whereof the concave side is oriented toward the inside of the foot to follow the natural curve of the inner and outer edges of the foot.

The flexion lines 30, 32, 38 and 40 are secant and form nine sub-zones.

The flexion lines 30 and 32 extend to the outer edge 36 of the outer sole 3 and stop before the inner edge 34. In an alternative that is not shown, the flexion lines 30 and 32 can extend the inner edge 34.

The flexion lines 38 and 40 extend between a central part 46 of the outer sole 3 that is provided to be raised relative to the ground, to the vicinity of the front end 10. In the illustrated example, the flexion line 38 extends to the front end 10, while the flexion line 40 ends before the front end 10. In an alternative that is not shown, the flexion lines 40 can extend to the end 10.

The locations of the longitudinal zones 3A, 3B and 3C and transverse zones 3D, 3E and 3F, as well as the flexion lines 30, 32, 38 and 40, can be different depending on the importance preferably given to certain zones of the outer sole 3 rather than others.

For example, a tennis player whose footwork is swift and explosive will perform more outward bracing, toward the front stressing zones 3A and 3B, or laterally with the zones 3D and 3F. In such a case, this player will stress all of the zones of the outer sole 3 and the zones 3A, 3B, 3D and 3F will therefore have a larger area than on a shoe intended for a player with less explosive footwork.

This second type of player, with a more fluid, slower and more grounded footwork, will place more stress on the zones 3B, to a lesser extent 3A, during bracing or forward striking, and in changes of direction and blocking, this second type of player will stress zones 3E and 3D more. Zones 3E and 3D will therefore have a greater surface area over shoes designed for players with more fluid and grounded, and less explosive, footwork.

An optional embodiment of the invention is shown on FIGS. 6 and 7. The inner sole 7, also called sockliner, and which is advantageously removable from the shoe, is in contact with the foot. The inner sole 7 includes a bottom face 71 which is in contact with the midsole 5.

The lower face 71 is divided, in the same way that the outer sole 3, in a plurality of transverse and longitudinal zones separated by flexion lines, and which are aligned with the zones and flexion lines of the outer sole 3. The lower face 71 includes a front zone 71A superimposed on the front zone 3A, a median transverse zone 71B superimposed on the median transverse zone 3B and a rear zone 71C superimposed on the ear zone 3C. The zones 71A. 71B and 71C are separated from one another by transverse flexion lines 711 and 713 superimposed on the transverse flexion lines 30 and 32 and which have a flexibility greater than the flexibility of the zones 71A, 71B and 71C in the same way that the flexion lines 30 and 32.

The lower face 71 comprises an inner zone 71D superimposed on the inner zone 3D, a longitudinal central zone 71E superimposed on the central longitudinal zone 3E and an outer zone 71F superimposed on the outer region 3F. The zones 71D, 71E and 71F are separated from one another by transverse flexion lines 715 and 717 superimposed on the transverse flexion lines 38 and 40 and which have a flexibility greater than the flexibility of the zones 71D, 71E and 71F in the same way that the flexion lines 38 and 40.

This structure of the inner sole 7 coinciding with the structure of the outer sole 3 allows improving the flexibility of the whole of the shoe 1, and making even more effective the ground supports with different parts of the foot.

Alternatively, the lower face 71 is formed by a first layer of the inner sole 7 and the inner sole 7 includes a second layer 73, named upper layer, superimposed on the lower layer 71 and which is in contact with the foot. According to an optional aspect not shown, the top layer 73 may include cushions made of materials of different energy delivery capability, positioned in line with the zones 71A to 71F using the same geometry and the same principle that the cushions 50, 52 and 54 of the midsole 5. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A sport shoe, in particular for tennis, comprising, inter alia: an outer sole adapted to be in contact with the ground, an inner sole provided to be situated below an athlete's foot, an intermediate sole inserted between the outer sole and the inner sole, the outer sole being divided, along a longitudinal axis of the shoe, into at least three transverse zones comprising: a front zone provided to be located at least partially under the toes of the foot, a median transverse zone provided to be at least partially located below a region of the foot extending between the base of the toes and a front end of the arch of the foot, a rear zone provided to be located at least partially below a region of the foot extending backward from the front end of the arch of the foot, the three transverse zones being separated by transverse flexion lines whose flexibility is greater than the flexibility of the three transverse zones, the outer sole being divided, along a transverse axis of the shoe, into three longitudinal zones comprising: an inner zone provided to be at least partially under the big toe, a central longitudinal zone provided to be at least partially below the second and third toes, an outer zone provided to be at least partially below the fourth and fifth toes, the three longitudinal zones being separated by longitudinal flexion lines whose flexibility is greater than the flexibility of the three longitudinal zones, wherein the intermediate sole comprises, superimposed on the front zone and the median transverse zone, three cushions comprising: an inner cushion at least partially superimposed on the inner zone, a central cushion at least partially superimposed on the central longitudinal zone, an outer cushion at least partially superimposed on the outer zone, and wherein the inner and outer cushions are made from materials with an energy return capacity greater than the material from which the central cushion is made.
 13. The sport shoe according to claim 12, wherein the transverse flexion lines and/or the longitudinal flexion lines are at least partially curved.
 14. The sport shoe according to claim 12, wherein the transverse flexion lines and/or the longitudinal flexion lines at least partially have a broken rectilinear shape.
 15. The sport shoe according to claim 12, wherein the flexion lines are formed by at least one groove running along an outer surface of the outer sole.
 16. The sport shoe according to claim 15, wherein the flexion lines are formed by two grooves running side by side over the outer surface of the outer sole and separated by a rib.
 17. The sport shoe according to claim 15, wherein the grooves have a depth comprised between 0.5 and 5 millimeters.
 18. The sport shoe according to claim 12, wherein the longitudinal flexion lines have a concave shape whereof the concave side is oriented toward the inside of the shoe.
 19. The sport shoe according to claim 12, wherein the transverse flexion lines have a concave shape whereof the concave side is oriented toward the back of the shoe.
 20. The sport shoe according to claim 12, wherein the outer sole includes a fourth zone extending behind the rear zone and provided to be located under the heel of the foot.
 21. The sport shoe according to claim 12, wherein the inner sole has a lower face divided into three transverse zones and three longitudinal zones superimposed with the transverse zones and the longitudinal zones of the outer sole, these transverse and longitudinal zones of the inner sole being defined by transverse flexion lines and longitudinal flexion lines superimposed on the transverse flexion lines and longitudinal flexion lines of the outer sole, the flexibility of the flexion lines of the inner sole being greater than that of the zones of the inner sole. 